I’m more inclined to pop open a bottle from the experts,
but, hey, I don’t have the White House staff on hand to fix what “ales”
me. So I asked a home brewing friend, Matt Canale, a video game
developer in L.A., to fill me in on his experience and give our readers
some tips on how to get started.

Shanghai Mama’s was closed for nine
months following a fire last October. There was some despair among
downtowners as the months dragged on. Call it the dark night of the
soul. But Mama’s back, and I’m happy to report that she’s better than
ever.

Washington Park is without a doubt the
jewel of this excellent summer in Cincinnati. And it’s drawing crowds —
whether to its well-chosen events or just to enjoy its well-designed
spaces. And crowds, we know, travel on their stomachs.

Lisa Kagen is an artist, a chef, a parent and an entrepreneur — and all of those
identities factor heavily into the operation of her two Northside
businesses: Melt Eclectic Deli and Picnic and Pantry, a market that
serves healthy, sustainable groceries and prepared foods.

I just returned from my third annual
visit to Tales of the Cocktail, an almost week-long event that, for
mixologists and the media who cover them, is what the Cannes
International Film Festival is to movie critics: a little bit glamorous,
a lot of information to drink in and a lot of fun.

Maybe we’ve done
enough for this summer, and it’s time to chillax. But then we’d miss out
on the Farmers Markets, City Flea at the gorgeous new Washington Park
and planning for September and the MidPoint Music Festival. This town is
on a roll, people!

Hot days mean cold beer, right? That’s
what I used to think, too. Nowadays, I like summer cocktails that are lighter, more
creative and tastier than the old standby. Sure, they’re not as easy as
opening a frosty bottle, but they don’t have to be a major Tiki-type
production either.

Mount Adams' new 'mantra'

When David and Liz Cook of
Daveed’s at 934 decided this year to try a new concept in Loveland,
Daveed’s Next, the Mount Adams space Daveed’s
had occupied at 934 Hatch St. was not vacant long. Mantra on the Hill
opened in late May, lead by Chef Yajan Upadhyaya, originally chef/owner
of Cumin in Hyde Park.

There are plenty of restaurants downtown, but for the World Choir Games, the city has set up a Market Garden at the corner of Fifth and Race streets to provide additional options that are fast and affordable. It’s a great “Taste of Cincinnati” opportunity — without the crowds and long lines.Eats include local food trucks and Cincinnati’s own Mecklenburg Gardens, A Taste of Julia, sweets ...